Indiana, Robert: 1928 (USA)

The Artist

Robert Indiana was born, Robert Clark, in New Castle Indiana in 1928. He adopted the name of his native state as pseudonymous surname early in his career. Indiana was educated at John Herron School of Art, Indiana; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, New York; Art Institute of Chicago; Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture University of Edinburgh; and Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh Scotland. Indiana is currently living and working in New York.

Best known for his brilliantly colored geometric pop art, Indiana has taken the everyday symbols of roadside America and made them into cultural statements of life and politics. In the early 1960's his works were first purchased by major museums. In 1964 he collaborated with Andy Warhol on the film EAT and in the same year received his first public commission, a work for the exterior of the New York State Pavilion at the New York World's Fair - a 20 foot EAT sign. In 1967 he exhibited his figurative Mother and Father at the Sao Paulo Bienal, in Brazil. Other exhibitions include representation at Docments IV, Kassel Germany by fifteen pieces and a serigraph, Eie Deutche Vier.

Indiana's public sculpture is among the finest of world artists and includes the world famous Love sculpture, in Love Park in Philadelphia, PA. Indiana is recognized throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and the United States. His paintings, sculptures and graphic work is exhibited and collected in most major museums displaying contemporary art including: the Washington National Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.; The Philadelphia Museum of Art; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The Art:

Robert Indiana's work is specifically associated with the period of American Pop Art. Unlike most Pop Art, Indiana's word-images manifest comment on society, and are rendered in clashing colors and precise hard-edge color shapes. Indiana's strength is his hostility to both closed systems and to art for art's sake. The American dream has been a recurring theme in his work, and he has used it to both celebrate and criticize the national way of life. In the midst of the star-spangled color of The American Dream #J, (1961, Museum of Modern Art) he highlights the words "Take All", and " Tilt". Generally rather than specifically, Indiana had interpreted American culture at that time - 'optimistic, generous, and naive'. His paintings, graphics, and constructions have given new meaning to works such as "Eat", "Die", and "Love". His famous "Love" paintings, graphics, and construction is reproduced on the popular multi colored "Love" United States postage stamp. The art displayed below is the most successful and classic of Robert Indiana's art.

Indiana329 Robert Indiana. Triangle #3 from the Polygon suite. 69/100. Serigraph. The paper size is 31" x 28". The art was acquired in 1979. Color is rich and the surface is unblemished. The serigraph is signed and numbered in pencil. For description and discussion of Robert Indiana's work see the paragraphs above. The artwork, margins and surface, is in pristine condition. Close-Up $3,650.

Indiana333 Robert Indiana. Love Banner. Serigraph. Poster. The paper size id 15" x 15". The art was acquired in 1979. Color is rich and the surface is unblemished. This piece was created as a banner for an 1969 Multiples show. For description and discussion of Robert Indiana's work see the paragraphs above. The artwork is in pristine condition. Close-Up $250.

Indiana62 Robert Indiana. Skid Row. 81/125. Serigraph. The paper size is 22" x 14". The art was acquired in 1979. Color is rich and the sharp. For description and discussion of Robert Indiana's work see the paragraphs above. The artwork, margins and art surface, is in pristine condition. Close-Up | Closer $1,750.

Indiana579 Robert Indiana. New York. Serigraph. Poster. The paper size is 43" x 33". The art was acquired in 1979. Color is rich and sharp. This piece was created for Indiana's on person show at the well known Denise Rene New York Gallery. For description and discussion of Robert Indiana's work see the paragraphs above. The artwork, is in pristine condition. Close-Up $500.

Contact us to see other Indiana art that is available but not shown on our site at this time.